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Liberty mourns death of aeronautics student

May 23, 2014 : Liberty University News Service

Liberty University student Daniel Stephen Christensen, of Amherst, Va., died Wednesday, May 21, from injuries he sustained in an automobile accident on his way to class Tuesday morning. The 19-year-old was enrolled in Liberty’s Aviation Maintenance Technician School (AMTS), part of the School of Aeronautics.

Christensen was a graduate of Liberty Christian Academy and started the one-year AMTS program in January.

“The entire Liberty University community has been so deeply saddened by Daniel's tragic death. He was an exemplary student who was well-liked by his professors and fellow classmates. Daniel will be greatly missed as we keep the Christensen family in our thoughts and prayers,” said Liberty President Jerry Falwell.

Robert Howell, AMTS chair, said Christensen was “a very likeable young man, always smiling.”

Christensen’s class was a close-knit group of 24 students.

“This program is unique; we are together for eight hours a day, five days a week, so Danny made a lot of close friends here,” Howell said. “He showed a passion for this field, and also a passion for his fellow students and connected really well with them. We will miss him.”

The AMTS program currently has 55 students, with classes running for three consecutive semesters. Christensen would have graduated in December with a Federal Aviation Administration certificate to work on aircraft.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 28, at 4:15 p.m. at Pate Chapel at Thomas Road Baptist Church. Doors will open at 3:30 p.m.